saint-croix-island | ME | Find park

View of the drive into Saint Croix Island International Historic Site.

A wayside discussing the history of the island along the interpretive trail.

An interpretive trail guides visitors through the history of the island and the people who called it home.

A bronze sculpture of a Passamaquoddy person reaching out to assist the French settlers.

The Passamaquoddy's assistance kept the French explorers alive.

A bronze sculpture of Pierre Dugua with a reenactor standing nearby.

Pierre Dugua and his men spent a dealthy winter on Saint Croix Island.

Three visitors read an interpretive wayside along the trail.

As you walk along the trail waysides provide more information about surviving that deadly winter of 1604-05.

Physical Address:

84 Saint Croix Drive

Calais, ME 04619

Mailing Address:

PO Box 247

Calais, ME 04619

contact-details

Phone Number: 2074543871 Voice
Phone Number: 2072888813 Fax
Phone Number: 2072888800 TTY

Email Address: acadia_information@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

The winter of 1604-1605 on Saint Croix Island was a cruel one for Pierre Dugua's French expedition. Iced in by freezing temperatures and cut off from fresh water and game, 35 of 79 men died. As spring arrived and native people traded game for bread, the health of those remaining improved. Although the expedition moved on by summer, the beginning of French presence in North America had begun.

park designation:International Historic Site

Directions:

Saint Croix Island International Historic Site is best reached by private vehicle. The site is located 8 miles (13 km) south of Calais, Maine, on US Route 1, and can be reached either by Route 9 from Bangor or US Route 1, the coastal route from Portland and points south. From US Route 1, turn onto St. Croix Drive. The entrance gate is on the right. The visitor center is inside the ranger station.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Ranger on Duty Hours, May 26, 2024 to October 31, 2024 (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)

A park ranger will be available at the Visitor Center at the following days and times.

Winter closure October 10, 2023 to May 25, 2024

The park has limited services during the winter months. The visitor center is closed and the interpretive path sculptures are covered.

Weather Information:

Located in Maine, Saint Croix Island experiences all four seasons. Summer temperatures range from 50-80F (10-27C). Fall temperatures range from 25-70F (-4-21C). Typically the first is in frost mid-October and first snowfall begins in November and can continue through April with an average accumulation of 67 inches (170 cm). Winter temperatures range from 5-30F (-15 - -1C). Spring temperatures range from 20-60F (-6-16C).